Following news that Michigan’s Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) waited nearly six months to inform people they may have received benefits in error, state Rep. Julie Alexander today called for the agency to be more transparent and forthright with the public.

“I have heard from so many Jackson families about the difficult process to obtain unemployment benefits through the UIA’s broken system, and the agency’s poor customer service is no secret,” said Alexander, of Hanover. “Waiting for months to inform people the benefits they already received might be in jeopardy is even worse than the failures already on display. There is much work to be done to clean up the UIA — starting with transparency for the Michigan families it serves.”

This week, the House Oversight Committee obtained a federal review letter indicating the agency waited almost six months to inform nearly 700,000 recipients of Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) that they may not have qualified for the benefits. The federal Department of Labor informed the UIA as early as Jan. 6 that the state’s PUA application included multiple reasons for requesting benefits that did not qualify under federal law. Lawmakers had previously inquired about the issue, but the information the UIA provided to the Legislature did not indicate the agency knew of the issue so early.

The agency finally told recipients of the error this summer, with instructions to complete paperwork to reassess whether they qualified for an approved reason. The UIA also indicated unqualifying individuals might have to reimburse the state for their benefits, although the administration has since indicated that repayment will be waived. The announcement nevertheless was cause for uncertainty and even fear for PUA recipients.

“People who relied on PUA to get by were suddenly shocked at the news they may owe money back because the agency messed up,” Alexander said. “It was heartbreaking to hear how this mistake inflicted pain and anxiety on already suffering people.”

Alexander has repeatedly expressed concern about the poor management of the UIA as the pandemic and lockdowns from the governor caused a dramatic increase in claims from laid-off workers. The representative’s office has assisted numerous Jackson County residents navigate the complicated unemployment system, and in March, she hosted a virtual forum with the UIA to help people get answers and assistance.

Alexander reminded Jackson residents they can contact her office for assistance. The office can be reached by phone at 517-373-1795 or by email at [email protected].